[2025 Six Nations] England vs France - 08/02/25

[spartan32]

Not sure what Earl has on Borthwick, but it must be good. Maybe he'll have more impact if he's not the primary carrier.

Daly's selection just shows how badly Borthwick has messed up the back selection. He's purely there as cover for an experiment and is unlikely to have much impact from the bench when it's been clear we need impact.

Maybe it'll be a stroke of genius, but I don't see it.

You won't be saying that when he cannons it over for 65 meters in the final moments of the game to win it

 

[BPM]

I guess the only thing I can say about Marcus at 15 vs. France is that it actually worked fine for 75mins in Paris last year.

I don't see us beating them but stranger things have happened.

Either was I hope Willis has a big game.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Irish fans win whatever happens in this game because if we beat France it means you are probably odds-on for 3 in a row and if we get absolutely humped then you can laugh at how poor we are.

Ah, I am hoping our game v France is effectively a slam decider for both. Big match days in Dublin hit like crack usually.

Once England aren't achieving things Ireland aren't or against a massive underdog I'll generally be neutral or even want them to win against certain teams. I reckon most Irish rugby fans are similar. It's the 6n blowins who'll be more ABE (like me in soccer to be fair!).

Fairly neutral here as you say. Positives if France lose and lots to look froward to if they win (provided we do in Edinburgh). I'd never actively wish for improvement in English rugby but I think this England team is at their lowest ebb and expect an upward trajectory sooner rather than later so not much to hope for either way.

It kind of ties into why I really enjoy watching England, one international team that I am a true neutral for!

 

[West Country Wail]

 

[IT157]

I like the team overall. The big question mark is M. Smith at fullback. Although Steward has strengths he gets far too easily beaten as the last man. And with the quality of the French back 3 it would be a nightmare for him. I can see why they have gone for M. Smith instead with Furbank out injured. M. Smith will bring more creativity, and whilst not the best defender, he can at least turn quicker than Steward.

 

[Geordie]

The thing with Smith at 15 is that many other teams actually do this now. Most teams want a double playmaker at 10 and 15. Beauden Barrett was moved back, Ramos flits between 10 and 15, etc etc they're now very interchangeable positions...

Smith should thrive with more space to see whats happening in the game and Fin can just sit with his pal Mitchell controlling the game. Hence why Furbank was employed there when hes fit.

Lets see how it goes.

 

[Half Pint]

Ah, I am hoping our game v France is effectively a slam decider for both. Big match days in Dublin hit like crack usually.

Once England aren't achieving things Ireland aren't or against a massive underdog I'll generally be neutral or even want them to win against certain teams. I reckon most Irish rugby fans are similar. It's the 6n blowins who'll be more ABE (like me in soccer to be fair!).

Fairly neutral here as you say. Positives if France lose and lots to look froward to if they win (provided we do in Edinburgh). I'd never actively wish for improvement in English rugby but I think this England team is at their lowest ebb and expect an upward trajectory sooner rather than later so not much to hope for either way.

It kind of ties into why I really enjoy watching England, one international team that I am a true neutral for!

It's a good point, and sort of why (as an England fan) I've found myself cheering for Wales lately. As well as wanting my team to win, I want a competitive tournament.
I would expect Ireland fans to want England to beat France this weekend. It'd give Ireland two chances to win the 6N. As in, it would mean Ireland could lose to France but still win the tournament.

 

[Toulousain ex French fan]

Ah, I am hoping our game v France is effectively a slam decider for both. Big match days in Dublin hit like crack usually.

Once England aren't achieving things Ireland aren't or against a massive underdog I'll generally be neutral or even want them to win against certain teams. I reckon most Irish rugby fans are similar. It's the 6n blowins who'll be more ABE (like me in soccer to be fair!).

Fairly neutral here as you say. Positives if France lose and lots to look froward to if they win (provided we do in Edinburgh). I'd never actively wish for improvement in English rugby but I think this England team is at their lowest ebb and expect an upward trajectory sooner rather than later so not much to hope for either way.

It kind of ties into why I really enjoy watching England, one internat

If Eng are at their lowest ebb (no idea if they are) then we ought to beat them well with senior players approaching their peak and not just Dupont. I've no idea how Galthié and the union can reconcile with another 2nd place with the bags of talent at their disposal. I think Galthié may have poisoned the well with his toxic coaching. Prove me wrong with a resounding win!

 

[spartan32]

I'm happy with the XV although it's harsh on Ben Curry to be dropped and I'm not enamoured with M. Smith at 15.

I think it's clear though that Freddie Steward isn't Test quality. We need to find someone long term who can backup Furbank.

Arundel is back next season with the mighty Bath, so that may be the answer

 

[LIONSxv]

If Eng are at their lowest ebb (no idea if they are) then we ought to beat them well with senior players approaching their peak and not just Dupont. I've no idea how Galthié and the union can reconcile with another 2nd place with the bags of talent at their disposal. I think Galthié may have poisoned the well with his toxic coaching. Prove me wrong with a resounding win!

France do have loads of talent but all in the same positions ie hooker, sh, ,fh and 3/4. Props, centres and back row are not as good as Ire in six nations certainly not at the level of SA or even NZ

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

The French backs have 3 from Toulouse and 4 from Bordeaux who are tied on points at the top of a 14 team league.

From our 10 team league we have 1 starting back from first placed Bath, 1 (out of position) from 6th placed Quins, 4 from 8th placed Saints and one from 9th placed Chiefs.

Only 2 of the 14 forwards on duty come from the top 3 clubs in the Prem - Bath, Bristol or Gloucester.

Doesn't feel like something's quite right somewhere.

 

[AlRums]

The French backs have 3 from Toulouse and 4 from Bordeaux who are tied on points at the top of a 14 team league.

From our 10 team league we have 1 starting back from first placed Bath, 1 (out of position) from 6th placed Quins, 4 from 8th placed Saints and one from 9th placed Chiefs.

Only 2 of the 14 forwards on duty come from the top 3 clubs in the Prem - Bath, Bristol or Gloucester.

Doesn't feel like something's quite right somewhere.

Or the premiere league is poorer than you think.

 

[TopTen2003]

Lots of debate about the Smiths but I like it and I do think Marcus can really hurt teams from 15- it's just tricky if he ends up in high ball duals against other teams. His ground speed could be quite important with the strong kicking game of DuPont, Jalibert and Ramos where I think they'd have really exploited Steward.

I'm quite pleased with the England bench. Chessum, Ben Curry and CCS is a very physical set of 3 to come in and impact the game, should England be competitive in the first half. That's one of the few pluses.

Haven't seen a lot of Willis- like some of the clips I've seen as an 8- strikes me as that type but only concern is his speed for the top end of international rugby- he's a real throwback 8. Strong as an ox though so hope he has a cracker and makes the impact.

 

[IT157]

The French backs have 3 from Toulouse and 4 from Bordeaux who are tied on points at the top of a 14 team league.

From our 10 team league we have 1 starting back from first placed Bath, 1 (out of position) from 6th placed Quins, 4 from 8th placed Saints and one from 9th placed Chiefs.

Only 2 of the 14 forwards on duty come from the top 3 clubs in the Prem - Bath, Bristol or Gloucester.

Doesn't feel like something's quite right somewhere.

In all fairness the team in 8th could finish in the top 4 by the end of the season and win the premiership such is the overall parity in the league.

Maybe a team will find its way around the salary cap and create a dominant super team, and that will have the trickle on impact of making England a top team again.